Prepare for visa-free entry
Check your passport, supporting documents, and any arrival forms before travel.
Before you travel
Check the passport and supporting documents listed below. Keep copies accessible during your journey.
When you arrive
Follow the arrival steps below and keep your travel documents to hand.
During your visit
Track all visits to South Africa during the calendar year and stay within the annual allowance.
Travel preparation checklist
Check each item’s requirement level and the conditions that apply.
Your circumstances may require additional documents. Ticks track preparation, not eligibility or admission.
South Africa arrival steps
Check the timing and conditions for each arrival step.
South African Customs online traveller declaration
From 1 July 2026, travellers entering or leaving by air, land, sea or rail must submit a declaration. For an inbound trip, submit it no more than 24 hours before departure from your origin country, or before the final leg directly to South Africa. Each traveller, including a child, needs a declaration; an adult may submit for a minor. Air or sea transit passengers who stay in the designated transit area are exempt. This is a Customs declaration, separate from a visa or ETA. If you cannot submit online, SARS says port staff or a kiosk can assist; missing the online step alone does not deny entry.
Arrival guidanceEntry conditions and exceptions
Check whether these rules affect your eligibility, application, or arrival.
Children can need additional travel documents
South African rules list extra evidence for children applying for a visa and for unaccompanied minors; documents depend on the child’s nationality and who is travelling with them. Check the current official rules for the child’s circumstances.
Official guidanceBefore and during your visit to South Africa
Check yellow-fever certificate rules for your route
South Africa requires a yellow-fever vaccination certificate from travellers arriving from or travelling through an endemic area, except for direct transit. Check whether your itinerary triggers the rule before departure.
South Africa travel essentials
- Capital
- Pretoria
- Currency
- ZAR
- Calling code
- +27
South Africa entry questions
Do Kenyan citizens need a visa for South Africa?
For tourism in South Africa, ordinary passport holders from Kenya do not need a visa for up to 90 days per calendar year.
How long can I stay in South Africa?
The visa-exemption allowance is 90 days per calendar year. Your actual permission can be shorter; check the dates and conditions you receive.
How much passport validity do I need?
At least 30 days after planned departure. At least 2 blank pages.
Do I need to complete South African Customs online traveller declaration?
Required for this route. From 1 July 2026, travellers entering or leaving by air, land, sea or rail must submit a declaration. For an inbound trip, submit it no more than 24 hours before departure from your origin country, or before the final leg directly to South Africa. Each traveller, including a child, needs a declaration; an adult may submit for a minor. Air or sea transit passengers who stay in the designated transit area are exempt. This is a Customs declaration, separate from a visa or ETA. If you cannot submit online, SARS says port staff or a kiosk can assist; missing the online step alone does not deny entry.
What if I’m going to work, study or stay longer?
This guide is for a short tourist visit on an ordinary passport. It does not establish eligibility for employment, study or residence. Use the destination’s official guidance for your actual purpose.
Does my country of residence change the answer?
Passport nationality and legal residence are different. This page starts with your passport. Residence can change where you apply and which application channel is available; an existing visa or residence permit may also create an exception. Check the official eligibility guidance for your circumstances.
Official visa and entry guidance
Confirm South Africa’s requirements directly with government authorities.
Open South African Customs online traveller declaration
Check South Africa’s current visa exemptions
The Home Affairs list separates ordinary and other passport types and may change without notice. Check the ordinary-passport column and stay period for your passport before booking.
Who this guide covers
Short tourist visits to South Africa with an ordinary Kenya passport. Residence, travel documents, and purpose can affect the rules. Confirm the official guidance before travel; border authorities decide admission and your permitted stay.
Suggest a correctionhttps://visadir.com/requirements/south-africa/kenya